Morristown High School Mission and Beliefs
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MORRISTOWN HIGH SCHOOL 50 Early Street Morristown, NJ 07960 (973) 292-2000 Fax (973) 539-5573 www.morristownhighschool.org Student Handbook 2018-2019 Rev. 10/24/18 1 Rev. 07.09.15 TABLE OF CONTENTS Mission & Belief Statement 3 Administration 4 Bell Schedules 5 General Policies/Procedures 6 Attendance Policy 20 Student Code of Conduct 23 Guidelines for Discipline for Code of Conduct Violations 28 Counseling & Guidance 38 GPA Calculations 41 Graduation Requirements 43 National Honor Society Standards for Admissions 46 Interscholastic Athletics 48 Co-curricular Programs 49 Disclaimer School rules published in this handbook are subject to such changes as may be needed to insure continued compliance with federal, state, or local regulations and are subject to such review and alteration as becomes necessary for the routine operation of the school. Not all rules of behavior can be written and inserted in a guide book; however, we expect students to follow reasonable rules and not violate the rights of others. 2 MORRISTOWN HIGH SCHOOL MISSION AND BELIEFS Mission: The core value and primary purpose of Morristown High School, with its large and diverse population, is to foster a community in which learning is meaningful, challenging and lifelong, and where the expectations of growth, individual understanding, excellence and creativity exist for all students and staff in a dynamic and academic environment. This mission will be achieved through a research-based process of continuous and collaborative planning, implementation and evaluation. We believe that: Family and community partnerships are essential for learning The broader school community of staff, administrators, parents, students and community members should share the high school’s core value and primary purpose. They are critical partners in creating a meaningful learning environment for students. Active participation by students is critical to the learning process The model of learning at the high school should be that of integrated learning with the teacher as guide, facilitator and coach, drawing out the best of each student and requiring his or her active participation in the construction of knowledge. A successful high school culture fosters lifelong learning A culture that fosters lifelong learning, in which learning is seen as a journey of continual discovery rather than simply the mastery of a series of discrete tasks, encourages the mutual experiences of teaching, learning and intellectual engagement between students and staff. This climate must be created if the high school is to successfully foster effective and productive citizens for a rapidly changing global environment. Expectations of excellence apply to all students and staff The broader school community expects that each student will achieve rigorous academic standards, develop critical thinking skills, and master essential learnings that are grounded in the wisdom of the disciplines. It has similar expectations of excellence for the high school staff, and looks to them to model the skills and behaviors that create the environment necessary to support student excellence. Each learner is unique The best way to improve our learning capacity is to understand how we learn; therefore, the broader school community expects that learning and assessment for each student will accommodate his or her learning style and tap into his or her human spirit. In a community of learners, no student is anonymous and no teacher is isolated The learning and teaching environments in the high school should be personalized to the greatest degree possible. The high school must develop structures and foster values that ensure that each student is provided meaningful contact with at least one school-based professional who understands and respects him or her as a unique learner. Likewise, the high school must develop structures and foster values that ensure that each teacher has the time and opportunity to interact with students, parents and other school and district staff in order to support his or her personal and professional growth. Professional growth is essential for quality teaching Every teacher at the high school has the right, and obligation, to develop his or her professional skills through sustained, research-based and collaborative professional development. The high school must provide staff with the opportunity, resources and time to construct their own knowledge and collaboratively design their own teaching in order to reflect both wise practice and their individual teaching styles. A safe and positive school environment is non-negotiable To support the social and emotional needs of students, a safe learning environment and positive school climate must be established and maintained. This is essential for intellectual growth and to prepare students to fulfill their responsibilities as adults and citizens. Respect for others is fundamental The rich diversity among the students of the high school, and the broader school community, should be valued, embraced and integrated into the learning experience in the high school. 3 Superintendent of Schools Mr. Mackey Pendergrast Board of Education Ms. Lisa J. Pollak, President Dr. Jennifer van Frank, Vice President Mrs. Nancy Bangiola Mrs. Prim Minchello Ms. Meredith Davidson Mr. Leonard Posey Ms. Lucia Galdi, Morris Plains Rep Mrs. Ann Rhines Dr. Peter Gallerstein Ms. Jeanette Thomas Administrators Principal Mr. Mark Manning ext. 2104 Assistant Principals Mr. John Pallino – Grade 9 ext. 2110 Mr. Vincent Marchese – Grade 10 ext. 2110 Ms. Kiina Dordoni – Grade 11 ext. 2110 Ms. Marietta Scorsune – Grade 12 ext. 2110 Supervisors of Instruction Dr. Kara Douma ext. 2282 Mr. Michael Lockman ext. 2283 Mr. David Thompson ext. 2117 Mr. Brian Young ext. 2217 Director of Guidance Dr. Jennifer Giordano ext. 2332 Director of Athletics Mr. Smitty Horton ext. 2120 School Anti-Bullying Specialist Ms. Sandra Caruso ext. 2105 Offices Main Office ext. 2101 Athletic Office ext..2120 Athletic Trainer ext. 2159 Attendance Office ext. 2150 Custodial Office ext. 2963 Guidance Office ext. 2130 Health Office ext. 2141 Media Center/ ext. 2144 Transportation 973-292-2066 Fax #’s Main Office 973-539-5573 Athletics 973-451-0304 Child Study Team 973-292-4803 Guidance 973-292-2129 Health Office 973-292-2023 A complete Staff Directory is available on the MHS website. www.morristownhighschool.org 4 A /B Alternating Block Schedule TIME SCHEDULE – Regular Days Time A Day B Day Minutes 7:50 – 9:15 1A 1B 85 9:20 – 10:40 2A 2B 80 10:40 – 11:30 Lunch Lunch 50 11:30 – 12:50 3A 3B 80 12:55 – 2:15 4A 4B 80 TIME SCHEDULE – Homeroom Bell Schedule (as needed) Time A Day B Day Minutes 7:50 – 9:05 1A 1B 75 9:10 – 9:30 Homeroom Homeroom 20 9:35 – 10:50 2A 2B 75 10:50 – 11:40 Lunch Lunch 50 11:40 – 12:55 3A 3B 75 1:00 – 2:15 4A 4B 75 TIME SCHEDULE – Early Dismissal Time A Day B Day Minutes 7:50 – 8:55 1A 1B 65 9:00 – 10:00 2A 2B 60 10:05 – 11:05 3A 3B 60 11:10 – 12:10 4A 4B 60 TIME SCHEDULE – Delayed Opening Time A Day B Day Minutes 9:50 – 10:53 1A 1B 63 10:56 – 11:55 2A 2B 59 11:55 – 12:25 Lunch Lunch 30 12:25 – 1:24 3A 3B 59 1:27 – 2:26 4A 4B 59 5 General Policies and Procedures Academic Integrity See Academic Integrity, page 37. Accidents/Injuries All accidents to students or staff must be reported to the Health Office. The high school has three certified nurses and an athletic trainer on staff. Information on school insurance is available at the Health Office. Affirmative Action/Sexual Harassment Policy The school has a responsibility to ensure all its faculty members and students equal opportunity regardless of ancestry, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, sex, and social or economic status. Anyone who believes he/she has been discriminated against with respect to the District’s Affirmative Action Policy may file a written grievance to the building principal. If within five school days the grievance is still not resolved to the individual’s satisfaction, the grievance may be presented in writing to the district Affirmative Action Officer, the Business Administrator/Board Secretary. In addition, any individual may petition the Commissioner of Education to resolve the dispute under regulations governed by New Jersey Law. The high school acknowledges the right of students, teachers and other employees to study and work in an environment free from sexual harassment. Sexually offensive speech and conduct are inappropriate to a sound learning and teaching environment, and are prohibited. Sexual harassment includes all types of sexual advances and physical or verbal contacts of a sexual nature that are offensive to the recipient, or which are made for the purpose of influencing the learning or working situation of a student, teacher or other employee. The high school administration reserves the right to take swift action in all reported cases of harassment. The administration will penalize offenders in keeping with the nature of the incident, the student discipline record, and the timeliness with which the incident was reported. Arrival and Dismissal ● Upon arrival in the morning, students will go directly into the building through the Main Entrance on Early Street ● School begins promptly at 7:50 (warning bell rings at 7:45). All students are expected to be in their first period class when the 7:50 bell rings. ● Students who arrive to school after 7:50 are required to report immediately to the Attendance Office to obtain a pass to class. ● When the school day is over, students will go to their lockers, and then leave the building directly to their bus or their after-school activity. ● Late buses are provided for students enrolled in afterschool activities at 4:00 pm., Tuesday through Friday. 6 ● One-way buses are provided for student-athletes practicing off site.